WASHINGTON, DC – As a member of the Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) secured investments for Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Michigan’s veterans in bipartisan legislation recently signed into law. The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides funding to help Selfridge prepare for its incoming F-15EX fighter jet and KC-46A tanker missions. The legislation also fully funds U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs that deliver the benefits our veterans earned during their service.
“These investments will support the arrival of the new fighter aircraft and refueling tanker missions coming to Selfridge, which are essential to ensuring continued success at the base,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “This bill also makes necessary progress to address issues impacting Michigan’s veterans and improve their access to the benefits that support them and their families.”
The bill includes numerous provisions Peters fought for and secured, including:
Supporting New Missions at Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Expanding Runway Infrastructure: Peters secured $10 million in the bill to support runway improvements at Selfridge. This project will help address encroachment issues at the South end of the runway, improve safety and efficiency of operations, and help support the basing of future missions at Selfridge including the KC-46 tankers and F-15EX fighter jets that were announced for Selfridge following years of persistent work and advocacy by Peters.
Accelerating Air Force Site Preparation: The bill includes $10 million in funding to help accelerate basing of the F-15EX fighters at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This includes projects identified by the Air Force’s Site Activation Task Force, including site preparation, facility design, and operational support. This funding is critical to ensure Selfridge is ready for the recently announced 21 new F-15EX fighters.
Fulfilling Our Sacred Obligation to Our Nation’s Veterans
Infrastructure Upgrades for State Veterans Homes: The bill includes $275 million for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program, which allows states to make critical facility upgrades or construct new facilities to serve aging veteran populations at state-operated facilities. Peters has consistently led a bipartisan group of his colleagues in advocating for the program, and helped secure a $56.7 million investment needed to begin construction of the new D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette Township.
Modernizing the VA Electronic Health Record System: The bill includes $3.4 billion to support the rollout of the Federal Electronic Health Record System at 13 VA medical facilities, including 4 sites in Michigan; the VA Battle Creek Medical Center, VA Detroit Healthcare System, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and VA Saginaw Healthcare System. The bill also includes language to help ensure this modernization process will not impact patient care, safety, or health care provider performance.
Expand Veteran Apprenticeship Opportunities Established by Peters Law: The bill requires the VA to report to Congress within 180 days regarding its efforts to develop a veterans apprenticeship website. Peters has previously supported the establishment of a user-friendly veterans-specific website to encourage greater utilization of apprenticeships among veterans. Peters’ Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act – which was signed in to law in 2020 – expands apprenticeship opportunities for veterans by increasing veterans’ access to financial assistance that they can use in connection with an apprenticeship program. The appropriations bill enacted requires the VA to report on actions it has taken with state approving agencies to establish this website to increase awareness and utilization of apprenticeships for veterans.
Outreach Improvement for Discharge Review Board: Peters secured language in the bill directing the VA to report to Congress on its efforts to ensure veterans are aware of the discharge review board petition process. It also directs the VA to provide recommendations to further enhance this outreach, including through enhanced coordination with the DOD via the already existing VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee. This provision recognizes the importance of ensuring that veterans who may have been erroneously given a less than honorable discharge from the military, due to behaviors resulting from traumas such as PTSD, TBI, or military sexual trauma (MST), are aware of the opportunity to upgrade their service discharge status by petitioning to a Discharge Review Board, which each military service operates. Such petitions, if successful, can allow veterans greater access to earned VA benefits. This provision builds on Peters’ Fairness for Veterans Act signed into law in 2016, which encouraged robust consideration of discharge status upgrade petitions from veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or related conditions in connection with their military service. The law also extends this policy to PTSD or TBI that is related to military sexual trauma.
GI Bill Eligibility for Cannabis Careers: The VA recently updated its policy to no longer allow GI Bill benefits to be used by veterans for courses or job training related to careers in the cannabis industry. Peters’ secured language in the bill expressing concern about the VA restricting the use of veterans’ benefits and requiring the VA to report to Congress within 90 days on the impact of this policy change, which is prohibiting veterans from using their hard-earned benefits to further their education or careers.
Strengthening VA Communication in Response to Tragic Death of Michigan Veteran: During an Appropriations Committee hearing last year, Peters underscored the importance of a VA Inspector General investigation related to the tragic death of Ian Fishback, a Michigan veteran. Following Fishback’s death, the VA created an Interagency Reconciliation Council to improve communication surrounding care for reservists, national guard members, and transitioning servicemembers. However, the Council had not identified or taken steps beyond information sharing to improve communication. This bill includes a provision Peters secured requiring the VA to report within 180 days what actions have been taken by the Interagency Reconciliation Council, including any additional resources or authorities that are needed to fully effectuate its purpose and prevent tragedies like Ian Fishback’s from happening again.
Honoring Our PACT Act: The bill includes $52.6 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund made available by the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which Peters helped enact to ensure all-generations of toxic-exposed veterans can receive critical VA health care and benefits. As of September 19th, more than 63,000 Michigan veterans and more than 2.9 million veterans across the country have applied for expanded VA benefits through the PACT Act.
Improve Transparency of VA Casework Backlog: The bill includes language Peters secured requiring the VA to submit a report to the Senate Appropriations Committee within 180 days on the average processing times for VA claims and appeals, including those related to the PACT Act. The report will also seek to identify where in the current process delays are occurring, potential personnel shortfalls, and employee training that could be improved upon to increase accuracy and efficiency in claims decisions. Peters’ provision comes in response to feedback from numerous veterans whose recent casework requests have taken longer than the expected review time.
Maintaining Adequate VA Staffing Levels, Improving Patient Wait Times: Peters secured language in the bill requiring the VA to maintain adequate staffing levels, which will help the department meet its goal of processing benefit claims within 125 days. The provision will also ensure that healthcare appointments and services are provided within timeframes required by statute and regulation.
Establishing VA Diabetes Center for Excellence: The bill includes a provision Peters secured that will support establishing a Diabetes Center of Excellence to focus on improving treatment and outcomes for veterans with diabetes. The Center will conduct research and other activities to develop best treatment and prevention practices within the VA. Currently, one in four veterans suffer from diabetes and the VA spends more than $1.5 billion annually to treat patients with type 2 diabetes.
Improving Care for Veteran Amputees: Peters secured language in the bill recognizing the urgent issue that veterans who have lost limbs while serving continue to fall through the cracks due to a lack of specific resources for care coordination. The provision Peters secured encourages the VA to strengthen its system of care by providing enhanced care coordination services.
Strengthen Rural Veteran Health Care: The bill includes funding to strengthen access to health care for veterans living in rural areas, including by expanding access to telehealth services.
Support VA Caregivers: The bill provides robust funding to support VA caregivers who provide critical care to veterans who require assistance for daily living as a result of injuries or trauma from their service.
Expanding Quality, Affordable Housing for Servicemembers: The bill includes robust funding for construction for new family housing. The bill also supports the construction of child development centers, schools, medical facilities, and dining facilities to support servicemembers and their families.
Reduce Veteran Homelessness: The bill works to reduce homelessness among veterans and their families by providing funding for housing assistance and other support services.
###